Automatic music-playing instrument.



H. A. VAN VALKENBURG.

AUTOMATIC MUSIC PLAYING INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED IAN-13.1916.

1,224,693. Patented May 1, 1917.

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H. A. VAN VALKENBURG. AUTOMATIC MUSIC PLAYING INSTRUMENT. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 1a. 1916.

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Patented May 1, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. A. VAN VALKENBURG.

AUTOMATIC MUSIC PLAYING INSTRUMENT. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 1a. 1916.

1,224,693. Patented May 1, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNETED STATES "PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD A. VAN VALKENBURG, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN PHOTO PLAYER COMPANY, 0E BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALI- FORNIA.

AUTOMIA'IIC IVIUSIO-PLAYING INSTRUMENT.

Application filed January 13, 1916.

sheet or the like, and more especially to in struments of the above stated character wherein the sound-producing elements are actuated by pneumatic means controlled by the passage of a perforated sheet across a tracker-board in communication with the pneumatics.

One of the features of my invention relates to the simultaneous operation of notesounding devices or elements of a plurality of musical instruments of a different character, as for example a piano and an organ, and in this connection, one of my objects is to provide an improved construction of means whereby the above stated operation will be performed, and by preference, either by the actuation of a pneumatic device, or a manually operated key,,which latter, by preference, is so related to the other parts of the mechanism that it will not be operated when the pneumatic which actuates the parts controlled by the key when actuated, is brought into operation; and another object is to provide for the actuating of both sound-producing devices simultaneously by the actuation of the said pneumatics or keys, or the actuation of the sound-producing devices of one instrument only; another object is to provide for the actuation of the sound-producing devices of one of the instruments, either by an automatic action or by a manual ac tion, the latter as through the medium of keys, and the actuation of the sound-producing devices of the other instrument independently of the first-referred to instrun'ient, preferably by pneumatics controlled by man ually actuated keys.

The instrument in connection with which Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 1, 1917.

Serial No. 71,910.

I have primarily devised my invention is a combined piano and organ player, and another obj ct of my invention is to provide mechanism whereby the piano may be played either automatically or manually, the latter as by striking the keys, and so played either simultaneously with the playing of the organ to sound corresponding notes by actuation of the said pneumatics or said keys, or independently of the organ, and the organ may be played independently of the pianoby actuation of manually operated keys.

My invention in one of its embodiments, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure l is a view in side elevation of the interior of a piano andan organ embodying my improvements, certain portions thereof being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the organ omitted and the section taken through the piano at another point. Fig. 3 is an enlarged broken view taken at the irregular line 3 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; and Fig. 4 is a section of a valved vacuum chest employed.

The piano action, which may be of any suitable construction, is represented at t, the hammers 5 of the action being positioned to strike the respective wires 6 of the piano in accordance with common practice. Each unit of the piano action includes a prolong 7, the raising of which causes the respective hammer to strike the opposed piano string 6 and sound the same. ,The lower ends of the prolongs 7 extend directly above and preferably in spaced relation to, the rear ends of keys 8 rockingly supported and and positioned below the respective lugs 14. The levers 15 in the construction illustrated form the movable sides of bellows 16, one of said bellows being provided for each prolong 7, the bellows 16 forming one of the elements of pneumatically-operated trackerboard-controlled means for actuating the levers 10 to operate the several units of the piano action and the reeds of the organ, the latter when the controlling means therefor are in operative position as hereinafter set forth. The means for operating the bellows 16 may be of any suitable type and as the mechanism shown is common and well known in the art it will suffice to say that the bellows 16 are separately operable by opening their interiors to the interior of a vacuum trunk 19 extending across the bottom of the supporting frame 17 for the tracker-board and roll-holders (not shown) and in which trunk vacuum is constantly maintained, the communication of the bellows with the trunk being controlled by valve-mechanisms, respectively (not shown), which are operated to accomplish this pur pose, by flushing pipes 18, respectively, connected with these several valve-mechanisms, and with the openings in the tracker by the registration of the openings in the musicnote-sheet with the respective openings in the tracker during the passage'of the music sheet across the latter, the movable sides 15 of the bellows returning to the normal position represented in Fig. 2 upon the closure of the corresponding pipes 18 to the atmosphere by the music sheet passing over the tracker.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the piano action may be operated by either manually operating the keys 8, as in the case of an ordinary piano, or automatically by a music sheet controlling the actuation of the plurality of bellows 16 as stated.

In the particular construction illustrated the other instrument, which may be simultaneously or independently operated as stated above, and which may be any desired form of instrument, but preferably an organ as illustrated at 100, is, by preference operated through the medium of pneumatic mechanism which in the arrangement shown, is constructed as follows:

Extending lengthwise of the piano, and preferably directly below the series of levers 10, is a bar 20 containing a series of passages or channels each opening at one end through the bottom of the bar 20 at the point indicated at These channels, the series of which extends horizontally, are provided of a number corresponding with the number of sound-producing elements to be actuated in the said second instrument, as for example the reeds of an organ, one of such reeds being represented at 101 and opening into a wind-chest 102 supplied with air pressure from a second chest 103 in communication with a pipe 104 leading from a supply (not shown) of air under pressure,

The front ends of the channels 21 are con-- nected respectively with pipes 23 which connect with mechanisms IGSPQCtlXGly, each of similar construction (one only of which is shown) controlling the operation of the respective reeds 101 of the organ and operating when any one of the pipes 23 is opened to the atmosphere to cause the particular sound-elements controlled thereby to be actuated.

The mechanisms just referred to in the particular construction illustrated, each comprise a bellows 109, the movable side 110 of which, which is collapsible when suction is applied to a pipe 108, opening into the bellows 109, the side 110 cooperating with a plunger 111, which is adapted, by being pushed downwardly by the side 110, to open a valve 112 controlling communication between 21 pipe 101, with which it cooperates, and the interior of the chest 102, and thus cause the pipe to be sounded, assuming that the valve 105 is open. The said mechanisms also each include a valvemechanism 113 for each pipe 108, which operates, when the pipe 23 cooperating therewith, is opened to the atmosphere as hereinafter described, to place the pipe 108 cooperating therewith, in communication with a source of vacuum and thus operate the bellows 109 as described. The valve mechanisms 113 may be of any suitable construction, that shown comprising a casing 114 having alining chambers 115 and 116, with a perforated disk 117 between these chambers and a perforated disk 118 at the top of chamber 115, the latter communicating with the pipe 108 through a pas sage 119; a valve 120 in the chamber 115 on a stem 120, which slides in the disks 117 and 118 and bears at its lower end on a flexible diaphragm 121, which covers a cell 122 into which pipe 23 opens, a bleed-opening 123 leading from the chamber 116 to the pipe 23, the chamber 116 being in communication with vacuuni-producing means (not shown) operating through a pipe 124. The valves 120 normally close the respective pipes 108 to the suction in the pipe 124:, but when atmospheric air is allowed to enter the pipe 23 the suction in the chamber 116 raises the diaphragm 121, the valve 120 closing the chamber 115 to the atmosphere and opening it to the suction-chamber 116, the valve 120 descending to normal position (Fig. 2)

when the pipe 23 cooperating therewith is closed to the atmosphere, because of the bleed-opening 123.

The ends 22 of the channels 21 are controlled by separately operable pellet valves 24 hingedly connected at their front ends to the bar 20, as by flexible strips 25, to be moved into and out of position for opening the respective channels 21 to the atmosphere, it being preferred that each pellet 24 be provided on its upper surface opposing the opening 22, with a disk 26 of felt, or the like. The pellet valves 24 are operated through the medium of pitmen 27 which extend at their lower ends through openings in the rear ends of the valves 24 and rest at stops 28 upon these valves, a spring 29 being interposed between each of the valves 24 and a cross-bar 30 and operating to normally hold these valves and pitmen 27 in raised position (Fig. 2) in which position the channels 21 are closed and the upper ends of the pitmen 27 extend into the path of movement of the levers 10 when operated either by the keys 8 or by the bellows 16, the pitmen 27 .being .guidedly confined in a bracket 31 supported as hereinafter described.

The several valves 24 and the operating pitmen 27 would in practice be so related to the prolongs 7 through the medium of the levers 10, as hereinbefore pointed out, that the tone produced by the reeds of the organ actuated simultaneously with the piano strings will be the same, or, ifdesired, not the same but in harmony with, the tones produced by the simultaneously operating piano strings. Thus, assuming the parts to be in the position illustrated in Fig. 2, when the bellows 16 are operated through the medium of the tracker mechanism described, or the keys 8 are actuated, the organ or other instrument controlled through the medium of the pipes 23 will be operated simultaneously with the piano action 4. In the instrument illustrated the keys 8 or bellows 16 may be caused to operate the piano action only, and provision is made for the playing of the organ independently thereof, either alone or in connection with the piano, as for example, as an accompaniment to the latter. As a means of accomplishing this I mount the bar 20 in a manner to permit it to be movable toward and away from the levers 10 to permit the upper ends of the pitmen 27 to be adjusted into and out of the path of movement of these levers when actuated, as hereinbefore explained. The channel 20 is connected with a frame formed of a bar 32 superposing the channel-bar 20 and forwardly-extending spaced arms 33 which are pivoted, as indicated at 34, to depending stationary lugs 35 at opposite ends of the piano. T he bar 30 is secured to, and

springs 36 tending to raise the frame and the parts carried thereby and hold them in normally elevated position, these spring means preferably comprising two separate spring devices, such as those shown, one cooperating with each of the arms 33, one end of each spring being secured to a stationary part of the piano as indicated at 37 and the other secured to a bar 33 as indicated at 38, adjustable screw-devices 39 (one only of which is shown) screwing upwardly through the bars 33 and engaging the bed-plate 40 of the piano, serving to limit the upward movement of said frame and permit of the proper adjustment of the upper ends of the pitmen 27 relative to the respective levers 10. The

lowering of the said frame and the parts carried thereby is accomplished through the medium of pneumatic mechanism comprising a bellows 41 secured at one of its sides 42 to the underside of one of the arms 33 and engaging at its other side 43 with the lower end of a rod 44 secured to and depending from the bed-plate 40. Means are provided for exhausting the air from the bellows 41 to cause the latter to collapse, in

which movement the side 42 lowers, winding the frame formed in part of the arms 33, downwardly on the pivot 34 against the action of the spring means 36 to a position in which the pitmen 27 are out of the path of I movement of the levers 10, these means in the preferred construction illustrated involving a vacuum valve box 45 containing Lit a chamber 46 in communication, through a pipe 47, with any suitable source of vacuum. Below the chamber 46 is a cell 48 covered by a flexible diaphragm 49 on which rests a vertically reciprocable valve 50. The valve proper 51 is located in a chamber 52 positioned above the chamber 46 and communi-.

eating therewith through openings 53 in a plate 54 secured across the lower end of the chamber 52. The upper end of the chamber 52 is closed by a plate 55 having openings 56 therein. A passage 57 communicating at one end with the cell 48 and at its opposite end with a tube 58, opens into the chamber 46 through a relatively small bleedcr opening 59, and a passage 60 opens at one end into the chamber 52 and at its opposite end connects with a pipe 61. The pipe 61 communicates with the bellows 41 and the pipe 58 is extended upwardly to the front side of ward end.

the piano adjacent to which manually operated valve mechanism for opening this pipe to the atmosphere, at will, is provided. Any suitable valve mechanism may be provided, that shown being in the form of an ordinary stop formed of a finger 62 pivotally supported at 63 and adapted when in the position illustrated in Fig. 2 to close the outer end of the tube 58 by engagement therewith of a felt disk 6-1- on the finger 62-. The normal position of the mechanism of the valve device 43 is that illustrated in the drawings when the stop 6% is closed. In this position the vacuum in the chambers s16 and -18 being equalized through the bleeder opening 59, the valve device 51 will close the chamber -16 to the pipe 61, and consequently the bellows &1, from the source of vacuum connected with the pipe 17. hen however the stop 62 is moved by the operator to uncover the outer end of the pipe 58, the latter is flushed, establishing-a pressure in the cell -18 in excess of that which the vacuum supply is able to maintain in the chamber 16 which causes the valve 51 to be raised, closing the ports 56 to the pipe 60 and opening this pipe to the chamber 46, and consequently the vacuum supply, with the result of deflating the bellows 11 which depresses the pellet mechanism for operating the organ, to a position in which they are rendered inoperative, the bellows 11 remaining deflated until the stop 62 is again moved to closed position in which the pipe 58 is closed to the atmosphere, the valve 51 automatically moving to the position shown in Fig. 4: upon the positioning of the stop 62 as last stated, by the equalizing of the pressure in the chamber 416 and cell 4-8 under the suction action exerted through the pipe 47.

In the construction illustrated, the instrument controlled through the pipes 23 is play able independently of the keys 8 or bellows 16, by the manual operation of keys. To this end a bank of keys 65 is preferably provided, one only of the keys being shown, these keys preferably extending in a horizontal series above the series of keys 8 and ot a number corresponding with the number of channels 21. Each of the keys 65 is flexibly supported, as indicated at 66, in a manner to permit it to be depressed at its for- Extending lengthwise of the piano below the series of keys 65 is a bar 67 containing channels 68 of a number correspending to the number of channels 21, these channels opening at their forward ends through the underside of the bar 67 as indicated at 69 and at their rear ends connected, respectively, with pipes 7 0 which open into the respective channels 21. A series of pellet-valves 71, like the valves 24, are hinged, as indicated at 72, to the bar 67 and 006perate, respectively, with the ends 69, of the channels 68, springs 73 confined between the valves 71 and a stationary board 74 serving to normally hold the valves 71 in a position in which the ends 69 and the channels 68 are closed. Each of the keys 65 carries 9. depending rod 75, the rods 75 being positioned directly above the protruding ends of the respective valves 71, whereby when a key 65 is depressed the one of the valves 71 cotiperating therewith will likewise be depressed, thus opening the respective channel 68 and pipe 70 to the atmosphere which flushes the one of the pipes 23 in communication therewith to actuate the particular note-sounding reed of the organ controlled by this last-referred to pipe, in the same way that it is actuated when the pellet-valve 9.1 coiiperating therewith is depressed to open the passage 21 as hercinbefore explained.

lVhile I have illustrated and described a particular construction in which my invention is embodied, I do not wish to be understood as intending to limit it thereto, as the same may be variously modified and altered without departing from the spirit of my invention.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality of soundproducing elements, means for actuatin the sound-producing elements of one of said devices, means actuated by said first-named means for simultaneously operating the elements of the other of said devices, and pneumatically-controlled means for controlling said second-named means to prevent or permit, at will, the operation of the latter by said first-named means.

2. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality of sound-producing elements, means for actuating the sound-producing elements of one of said devices, means actuated by said firstnamed means for simultaneously operating the elements of the other of said devices and shiftable into and out of position for effecting said lastreferred to operation, and pneumatically-controlled means for controlling said second-named means to prevent or permit, at will, the operation of the latter by said first-named means.

3. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality of soundproducing elements, means for actuating the sound-producing elements of one of said devices, means actuated by said first-named means for simultaneously operating the elements of the other of said devices and shiftable into and out of position for effecting said last-referred to operation, means tending to shift said second-named means to a position in Which they are actuated by said first-named means, and pneumatically con trolled means for shifting said secondnamed means into a position in which the latter are not actuated by said first-named means.

4. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices each comprising a plurality of sound producing elements, means for actuating the sound-producing elements of one of said devices, means actuated by said first-named means for simultaneously operating the elements of the other of said devices, shiftable into and out of position for efiecting said last-referred to operation, an adjustable stop cooperating with said second-named means for fixing its position relative to said first-named means, and means for shifting said second-named means, for the purpose set forth.

5. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality of soundproducing elements, automatically operating means for actuating the said elements of one of said devices, means actuated by said firstnamed means for simultaneously operating the elements of the other of said devices and controllable to prevent or permit, at will, said last-referred to operation, and means for operating said last-referred to elements independently of said first-referred to device and simultaneously with the automatic actuation of the latter.

6. In a music-playing instrument, the c0mbination of a plurality of music-playing de vices, each comprising a plurality of soundproducing elements, means for actuating the said elements 01"? one of said devices, means actuated by said first-named means for simultaneously operating the elements of the other of said devices and controllable to prevent or permit, at will, said last-referred to operation, and pneumatic means, separate from said first-named means for operating said last-referred to elements independently of said first-referred to device.

7. In a music-playing instrument,the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality of sound producing elements, automatically-operating means for actuating the elements of one of said devices, means actuated by said firstnamed means for simultaneously operating the elements of the other of said devices and controllable to prevent or permit, at Will, said last-referred to operation, and pneumatic means, separate from said first-named means for operating said last-referred to elements independently of said first-referred to device.

8. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices. each comprising a plurality of soundproducing elements, automatically operating means and manually operating means for actuating the elements of one of said devices, means actuated by the means Which actuate the elements of said device for simultaneously operating the elements of the other of said devices and controllable to prevent or permit, at will, said last referred to operation, and means, separate from said automatically-operating means and said manually-operated means for operating said lastreferred to elements independently of said rst-referred to device. I

9. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality of soundproducing elements, automatically operating means and manually operating means for actuating the elements of one of said devices, means actuated by the means which actuate the elements of said device for simultaneously operating the elements of the other of said devices and controllable to prevent or permit, at will, said last-referred to operation, and pneumatic means, separate from said automatically-operating means and said manually-operated means for operating said last-referred to elements independently of said first-referred to device.

10. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality of soundproducing elements, means for manually and automatically actuating the sound producing elements of one of said devices, pneumatic means for actuating the soundproducing elements of the other of said devices, and separate controlling means for said last-named means, one of which cooperates With said first-named means and is actuated thereby to simultaneously actuate the sound-producing elementsof both said devices, and the other of which is operable independently of said manual and automatic means to actuate the sound-producing elements of the said second-referred to musicplaying device.

11.. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality of sound-producing elements, means for manually and automatically actuating the soundproducing elements of one of said devices, pneumatic means for actuating the soundproducing elements of the other of said devices, and separate controlling means for said last-named means, one of Which cooperates With said first-named means and is actuated thereby to simultaneously actuate the sound-producing elements of both said devices, and is controllable to prevent or permit, at will, the operation of one of sand devices from the other thereof, and the other of which is operable independently of said manual and automatic means to actuate the sound-producing elements of the said second-referred to music-playing device.

12. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality o1 sound-producing elements, pivotally supported levers, means actuated by said levers for actuating the sound-producing elements of one of said devices, means for actuating said levers, and means extendin into the path of movement of said levers t br actuating the elements of the other of said devices.

13. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality of sound-producing elements, levers pivotally supported between their ends, means actuated by said levers for actuating the soundproducing elements of one of said devices, means for actuating said levers, and means extending into the path of movement of the ends of the levers for actuating the elements of the other of said devices.

14:. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality of sound-producing elements, pivotally supported levers, means actuated by said levers for actuating the sound-producing elements of one of said devices, means for actuating said levers and valve-controlled pneumatic means extending into the path of movement of said levers for operating the elements of the other of said devices.

15. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality of sound-producing elements, pivotally supported levers, means actuated by said levers for actuating the sound-producing elements of one of said devices, means for actuating said levers and pneumatic means for actuating the elements of the other of said devices, including valves, and actuating devices therefor extending into the path of movement of said levers.

16. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality of sound-producing elements, pivotally supported levers, means actuating said levers and the sound-producing elements of one of said devices, and pneumatic means for actuating the elements of the other of said de vices including valves, and shiftable rods for actuating said valves extending into the path of movement of said levers.

17. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, one of which is a piano, and each comprising a plurality of sound-producing elements, pivotally supported levers each connected at one end with the piano-action of the piano, whereby these parts move together, means actuating said levers and the said action, and means extending into the path of movement of said levers for actuating the sound-producing elements of the other of said devices.

18. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality of sound-producing elements, and means adapting one of said devices to be played simultaneously and either automatically or manually, and when played, to automatically play the other of said devices and adapting said devices to be played independently of each other.

19. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality of sound-producing elements, automaticallyoperating means for actuating the said elements of one of said devices, means actuated by said first-named means for simultaneously operating the elements of the other of said devices and controllable to prevent or permit, at will, said last-referred-to operation, and means for manually operating said devices simultaneously and independently of each other.

20. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality of sound-producing elements, automatically operating means for actuating the said elements of one of said devices, means for manually operating said last-named device, pneumatic means for actuating the soundproducing elements of the other of said devices, controlling means for said last-named means cooperating With said first-named means and adapted to be actuated thereby to simultaneously actuate the said soundproducing elements of both of said devices, and additional controlling means adapted to be operated independently of said first and second-named means for actuating the sound -producing elements of the said second-referred-to music-playing device.

21. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality of sound-producing elements, pivotally supported levers, means actuated by said levers for actuating the sound-producing elements of one of said devices, means for actuating said levers, and pneumatic means for actuating the elements of the other of said devices including valves, and shiftable rods for actuating said valves extending into the path of movement of said levers.

22. In a music-playing instrument, the combination of a plurality of music-playing devices, each comprising a plurality of sound-producing elements, automaticallyoperating means for actuating the said elements of one of said devices, pneumaticallyoperated means for actuating the soundproducing elements of the other of said devices and including a plurality of valves mounted to be bodily moved into different positions, means actuated by said first-named means and operating When said valves are bodily adjusted into one position to actuate Copies of this patent may be obtained for five the latter, respectively, for operating simultaneously with the operation of the elements of said first-referred-to device, the soundpi'oducing elements of the other of said devices, and means for manually operating said devices simultaneously and independently of each other.

HAROLD A. VAN VALKENBURG. ln presence of A. L. REDLIOK, Es'rnLLn C. LEVY.

cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 6.

you 

